Paraffin Wax Baths Indications/Paraffin wax baths or melted paraffin with a small amount of mineral oil (seven parts paraffin, one part mineral oil) are other common forms of superficial thermotherapy. A paraffin bath is another form of conductive heating. Paraffin baths are particularly useful for contractures due to rheumatoid arthritis, burns, and progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Paraffin is usually applied to the hands, arms, and feet. Higher temperature (55° C) is tolerable without danger of burning the tissue when using paraffin as compared to water, (42° C to 45° C) because the specific heat is one-half that of water and solid paraffin forms a protective and insulating coat over the skin. For therapeutic purposes, the paraffin bath is maintained at the melting point of 51.7° C to 54.4° C in an insulated, thermostatically controlled container.
Indications of Paraffin Wax Baths
Paraffin wax may be used to help relieve pain in the hands of people with:
- Osteoarthritis of hand and feet
- Rheumatoid arthritis of upper and lower extremities
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple joints pain
- Morning stiffness
- Post-burn scar or spasticity
- Stroke rehabilitation,
- Planter facilities
- Metatarsalgia
- Post-traumatic ankle sprain or strain
- Other joint mobility issues or immobile joint
- Post-traumatic fracture stiffness.
- Trigger finger
- Steroids induce arthritis
- Pain and muscle spasm
- Edema and inflammation.
- Adhesion formation
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Paresthesia, itching, numbness of hand & feet
- Mobile thumb or Texting thumb
- Dequervain tendinopathy
Contraindication of Paraffin Wax Baths
- Tissues previously treated with deep X-ray or radiation
- Tuberculosis (local)
- Damaged or at-risk skin, i.e. skin rash, eczema
- Anesthetic areas
- Excitable tissue,
- Around the eyes, breasts, or sexual organs
- Over fractured bones
- Near or over an implanted electrical stimulation device
- Women who are pregnant should consult their physician before beginning light therapy treatments.
- Clients with epilepsy should consult their physician before beginning light therapy treatments.
- You must wait five days after Botox or cosmetic fillers.
- Some thyroid conditions.
- Tuberculosis
- People with a history of skin cancer
- Systemic Lupus erythematosus should also avoid this kind of treatment.
- The use of photosensitizing medications (i.e. lithium, melatonin, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics).
- Acute inflammation
- Infected open wound
- Malignant tissue
- Severe/excessive edema
- Metallic implant
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Over wet dressing
- Unreliable patient
- Impaired thermal sensation
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